Tag Archives: beast of Revelation

There are some words and phrases in all languages that grab attention like no others. In English, one of them is sudden or suddenly, especially when combined with (suddenly) appeared.

A bolt of lightning that instantly splits a tree in front of us; a clap of thunder that deafeningly ruptures the air around us; a massive explosion or earthquake that rocks the ground beneath us; a malevolent monster that seizes an innocent victim in a scary movie; or a beautiful rainbow that radiantly appears from nowhere. We are both terrified and calmed by things that suddenly shake our senses.

Webster’s Dictionary defines the adjective sudden as: “happening or coming unexpectedly … marked by or manifesting abruptness or haste … made or brought about in a short time … prompt.”

In noun form, sudden is: “an unexpected occurrence: Emergency—all of a sudden: sooner than was expected; at once.” Suddenly is the more intense adverb form which almost always modifies an action verb, e.g. appeared.

In Bible Dictionaries and Lexicons such as the King James Dictionary, the Greek and Hebrew words translated sudden or suddenly mean, “in an unexpected manner, without preparation, instantly, swiftly, unforeseen, unaware, surprisingly, or a very short space of time.”

Some people like surprises. Others do not. Many tolerate the unexpected as long as it doesn’t jolt them out of their comfort zone too quickly or at all. Most people, like me, prefer not to be startled.

Surprises are okay, as long as they are not too surprising … like someone sneaking up behind me and saying, “Boo!” There are a few who love to be shocked; they like that rush of adrenaline that moves them out of the routine of every-day life.

Soon to come is a sudden earth-shaking, senses-shattering, life-changing, (eternal) destiny-altering event never before experienced in the annals of human history. Though foretold 2,000 years ago by Scripture, and foreseen by both believers and unbelievers (who are half way interested in such things) alike, it will still in “a very short space of time” stun everyone on planet Earth.

“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever” (I Thessalonians 4:16-17).

As detailed in the Eye of Prophecy article, How the Rapture? (Posted 8-24-13), this phenomenal sequence of events will take several minutes, beginning with the (Lord’s) shout heard around the world, and culminating with the final blast of several trumpets.

“But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It (the actual transformation, not the preliminary events described in I Thessalonians 4) will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown … those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed” (I Corinthians 15:51-52, parenthesis mine).

However, that’s just the beginning of things that will be so very sudden. Soon, if not immediately, after the Rapture, another event will suddenly arrest the attention, seize the senses, and attract the allegiance of billions left behind when Messiah Jesus takes believers from this earth.

Wrote John in Revelation: “…There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that had seven heads and ten horns, and blasphemies against God were written all over it” (Revelation 17:3).

Later, the angel explained what John had just witnessed:

“Why are you so amazed? … I will tell you the mystery of this woman and of the beast with seven heads and ten horns on which she sits. The beast you saw was once alive but isn’t now. And yet he will soon (abruptly, suddenly) come up out of the bottomless pit … And the people who belong to this world … will be amazed at the reappearance of this beast who had died” (Revelation 17:7-8, parenthesis mine)

A Dramatic Disclosure

The remarkable discernment given to me by the Lord in November, 2008 began with the above passage in Revelation 17, which led to my book, Out of the Abyss … can the number of the beast be solved? 666, published in February, 2011. And, yes, it was a sudden illumination from this passage (indeed the entire book of Revelation), which I had read numerous times without making the compelling correlation that: The Antichrist (beast) had already lived and died BEFORE John was given a vision of the beast.

This stunningly sudden reappearance of Antichrist from the Abyss will mesmerize virtually the entire world after the Rapture to the point of worship for one reason: His return from the grave (actually the Abyss).

“I saw that one of the heads of the beast seemed wounded beyond recovery—but the fatal would was healed! The whole world marveled at this miracle (return from the dead after two thousand years) and gave allegiance to the beast. They worshipped the dragon (Satan) for giving the beast such power, and they also worshipped the beast. ‘Who is as great as the beast?’ they exclaimed. ‘Who is able to fight against him?’” (Revelation 13:3-4, parenthesis mine).

If you haven’t already, I would encourage you to get a copy of Out of the Abyss (Amazon or Barnes and Noble or WestBow Press), which contains definitive documentation of all Bible passages on the Antichrist coupled with 1st century history to support what I believe is unmistakable evidence: The Roman Emperor Nero is the Antichrist of I John 3; the little horn/king of Daniel 7; the ruler whose armies would destroy Jerusalem and the Temple as found in Daniel 9; the king of the north in Daniel 11; the evil shepherd of Zachariah 11; the man of lawlessness in II Thessalonians 2; and the beast/king of Revelation 13 and 17.

In the category of Antichrist, several Eye of Prophecy articles have been written to further elaborate on this crucial last day’s clarification (correction if you will) concerning the origin of Antichrist, including his very identity … which was meant to be known! Otherwise, why would the angel through John challenge believers to ascertain the identity of the beast, not once but twice, as clearly presented in Revelation 13:18 and 17:9?

The Bible paints a composite picture of Antichrist that matches the historical Nero—what he was and did during his ascent to and time as Caesar—and also his return to complete what he started, but on a truly global scale. In today’s article, we will concentrate on just one feature of the painting to demonstrate that all the other Bible passages prove Nero is the Antichrist, by disproving that the Antichrist will be a modern-day man.

(Bust of Nero)

Our focus: His SUDDEN reappearance from banishment to the Abyss 2,000 years ago, as opposed to the mainstream prophetic view that the Antichrist will be a modern-day man; indeed, one who many believe is now among us. Later in today’s article, we’ll see that this sudden return also explains why he is so “different” than the ten kings (national leaders) who will give him their kingdoms (nations) to rule and reign over.

“Its ten horns are ten kings who will rule that empire. Then another king will arise, different from the other ten, who will subdue three of them. He will defy the Most High and oppress the holy people of the Most High. He will try to change their sacred festivals and laws, and they will be placed under his control for a time, times, and half a time” (Daniel 7: 24-25, italics for emphasis).

For sheer interest and intrigue, let’s first look at some memorial events in Scripture that happened, suddenly! In so doing, I believe we’ll have a significantly better grasp of the “sudden appearance” of Antichrist to show that he is not a modern-day man.

The New Living Translation (which I quote from in my articles, unless noted otherwise, such as the New American Standard Bible) employs the adjective/noun sudden or the often used adverb suddenly … no less than 122 times in the Old and New Testaments. Although this number exceeds other translations, the NLT translators (scholars) have simply chosen the word suddenly more than other English synonyms that could be used to accurately translate the Hebrew and Greek words that mean the same thing. It’s apparently a matter of preference; but also, I believe, an enhanced emphasis to effectively express the Hebrew and Greek text.

There are several Hebrew and Greek words that convey (are synonyms of) the word or concept of sudden, unexpected, unforeseen, abrupt, surprisingly, swiftly (without warning), etc.

Examples/Events in Scripture

As contained in Scripture and as human experience bears testimony, sudden life-changing events can be horrendously horrifying or heartwarmingly happy or sometimes both.

There are dozens of Bible passages that use the term, sudden or suddenly. We’ll examine only eight of these significant episodes, three of which are joyful, four of which are terrifying, and one that is both good and bad. I’m guessing that most of you will immediately recognize or at least be familiar with each spectacular occurrence. Except, perhaps the last passage which will return our attention to how the ominous return of Antichrist takes place and why he (Nero) is so different than the ten kings of the ten kingdoms that will constitute his formidable coalition during the Tribulation.

Each passage contains the word suddenly (which will be italicized) and each passage will reflect one of the meanings of sudden or suddenly that best applies to the event, as noted by the captioned heading of that passage. Certainly, the synonyms could be interchangeable; in fact, you may prefer to match them up differently than I have. No problem with that, as the main purpose is to emphasize how the sudden appearance of someone or something in these passages is strikingly similar and perfectly parallel to the last passage examined … that of the Antichrist’s appearance.

Beginning with one of the joyful events, we will then alternate between the bad (for those involved) and the good incidents, followed by one that is both negative and positive; then conclude with the fourth portentous (bad) event that is the main subject of today’s article.

*Note: In the passages where suddenly modifies the verb appeared or something similar (like came), appeared will also be italicized.

Unforeseen

“That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them … the angel reassured them, ‘Don’t be afraid … I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!” (Luke 2:8-11).

This is undoubtedly the most “suddenly” recognized passage/event of all time, known by millions upon millions of believers and unbelievers alike down through the ages. Although prophesied long before he came, Messiah Jesus’ post-birth was first announced by a completely unforeseen appearance of angels to, of all people, lowly shepherds … not to kings or nobles.

Instantly

“So Moses and Aaron did just as the Lord commanded them. As Pharaoh and all of his officials watched, Aaron raised his staff and struck the water of the Nile. Suddenly, the whole river turned to blood! The fish in the river died, and the water became so foul that the Egyptians couldn’t drink it. There was blood everywhere throughout the land of Egypt” (Exodus 7:20-21).

When Aaron struck the Nile, it instantly turned to blood. This was the first of ten mighty miracles (plagues) that God inflicted on Egypt.

Unexpectantly

“As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light. Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus” (Matthew 17:2-3).

Obviously, Peter, James, and John did not realize what was about to happen to their Lord when he was transfigured into the splendor that he possessed before entering the world as a man—the same glorious essence he would bear upon his return to heaven in his Resurrected body. However, this was the first time that Jesus had taken only these three disciples with him, and I’m sure they anticipated something different or unique would happen. But they would never have expected Moses and Elijah to appear in bodily form.

*See Eye of Prophecy articles, The Two Witnesses, I, II, & III (posted 6-7, 6-14, & 6-21-14) that explain why and how these two mighty prophets appeared to Jesus in their earthly bodies and will do so again during the Tribulation before Christ returns.

Swiftly

“And Moses said, ‘This is how you will know that the Lord has sent me to do all these things that I have done—for I have not done them on my own. If these men die a natural death, or if nothing unusual happens, then the Lord has not sent me. But if the Lord does something entirely new and the ground opens its mouth and swallows them and all their belongings, and they go down alive into the grave, then you will know that these men have shown contempt for the Lord.’

“He had hardly finished speaking the words when the ground suddenly split open beneath them. The earth opened its mouth and swallowed the men, along with their households and all their followers … So they went down alive into the grave, along with all their belongings. The earth closed over them, and they all vanished from among the people of Israel” (Numbers 16:28-33).

Although the majority of the Israelites often doubted or distrusted the Lord to take care of them in the post-Exodus journey through the wilderness, this was one instance in which a few of them actually rebelled against Moses, thereby showing contempt for the Lord. As a result, Moses told them (prophesied) what was about to happen to prove that the Lord had appointed Moses as his go-between leader of the people. As soon as Moses declared what the Lord would do, the judgment swiftly took place when the ground suddenly split open devouring the rebels.

Unaware/Unprepared

“That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenlycame and began walking with them” (Luke 24:13-15).

The text of the entire passage is clear: the two men were deeply saddened by Yeshua’s death, and also perplexed over the incredible news they had heard—Jesus might have risen from the grave. While they were trying to process “everything that had happened,” Jesus suddenlycame (appeared) out of nowhere … like he would later appear to his disciples in the closed, locked room. They were totally unaware that it was Jesus who was walking and talking with them!

The account continues: “By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, but they begged him, ‘Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.’ So he went home with them. As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared!” (Luke 24:28-31).

Wow! They were utterly unaware that the man was Jesus until he had been with them for several hours. They were equally unprepared and startled that he would disappear in front of their eyes as quickly as he had appeared with them on the road. To disappear (vanish) is the same as suddenly appearing.

Surprise (Shockingly So)

“Many years later King Belshazzar gave a great feast for 1,000 of his nobles, and he drank wine with them” (Daniel 5:1).

“Suddenly, they saw the fingers of a human hand writing on the plaster wall of the king’s palace, near the lampstand. The king himself saw the hand as it wrote, and his face turned pale with fright. His knees knocked together in fear and his legs gave way beneath him” (Daniel 5:5-6).

As indicated, for these Bible passages in which something suddenly happens, I’ve chosen what I think is the most appropriate synonym for each incident. The surprise experienced by King Belshazzar and his “honored” guests gives an expanded meaning to the word. It was more like shock. In fact, the word surprise is derived from the words surpris and suprendre, which mean: “an attack made without warning; to capture by unexpected attack; to strike with wonder or amazement” (Webster’s Dictionary).

We all know what a “surprise attack” is. And many are familiar with the term “sudden death,” whether it’s someone actually dying or a sporting event.

This is such a well-known account in Scripture that, to this very day, nearly everyone has heard or used the phrase, “The writing on the wall.” The sudden image of a hand writing on the king’s wall terrified him and his guests. It gives a whole new meaning to being “caught off guard.” They were totally surprised (shocked) at not only the writing on the wall but also the immediate fulfillment of its prophecy that Belshazzar would be killed, and Babylon would be destroyed by the Persians … that very night.

The next passage reflects a combination of terror and joy. It is one that contains bad news and good news.

Brought About In A Short Space of Time (Sooner Than Expected), Then Immediately Stopped

“Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, ‘Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!’

“Jesus responded, ‘Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!’ Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm. The disciples were amazed, ‘Who is this man?’ they asked. ‘Even the winds and waves obey him!’” (Matthew 8:23-27).

It was bad news for the disciples who, despite several miracles that Jesus had already performed, had little or no faith in the very fact that Jesus was with them. Though they were terrified, they soon realized more than ever before who Jesus was and what incomparable power and authority he possessed.

Bad news: The storms of life all too frequently and suddenly appear and strike heavy blows.

Good news: So what? If you know Messiah Jesus as personal Savior, he is with you. He will either get you through the storm or command it to stop. Some of our Lord’s last words on earth were, “…And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

(One other “suddenly appeared” passage of note is II Kings 2, in which the prophet Elijah is taken to heaven by a chariot of fire that suddenly … appeared).

The Sudden Appearance of the Little Horn of Daniel (Antichrist … Nero)

Now that we have a handle on the idea of sudden or suddenly in the context of Biblical history, let’s look at another prophecy that, when correlated and compared with other Scriptural evidence, will demonstrate that Nero is the Antichrist beast who will return to the amazement of those left behind at the Rapture. It is the optimum passage to validate that it is not a modern-day man who will take on the role of Antichrist.

Read with me Daniel’s dramatic description of the man who would appear directly from the fourth world empire, Rome. We know this to be true because John in Revelation later wrote that this same man had already lived and died, as one of the five kings—Roman Emperors—who had fallen … died before John saw the Antichrist beast. (Revelation 17:10 … see Out of the Abyss for a detailed analysis).

(*Note: The Late Great Roman Empire is long gone. I have said this before: There will not be a “Revived Roman Empire” as so many have postulated. Just look at what’s happening in Europe. The European Union is unraveling at the seams. There is a rising populism and nationalistic movement (as opposed to international globalism) across the world. But as I stated in Out of the Abyss and prior Eye of Prophecy articles, there will be a Revived Roman Emperor (Nero). He will take full advantage of the global allegiance given to him as a result of his “supernatural” return from the grave, by consolidating ten powerful nations to do his bidding. See Eye of Prophecy article, “One Ring to Rule Them All…” published 11-21-15.)

“As I was looking at the horns (the ten horns who are the ten kings that will give their kingdoms to Antichrist during the Great Tribulation), suddenly another small horn appeared among them. Three of the horns were torn out by the roots to make room for it. This little horn had eyes like human eyes and a mouth that was boasting arrogantly” (Daniel 7:8, parenthesis mine).

Once again, I’ve highlighted appeared. This is to stress that Nero’s introduction to our post-modern world soon after the Rapture will be exactly what this verse says it will be … a very sudden appearance. Actually, a reappearance, which Revelation 17:8 denotes.

This is of vital significance to comprehend. In fact, the implication is staggering once you get a handle on it. Here’s why.

Restating an observation: It’s only natural to assume that the Antichrist will be a man born in the last days who will rise to global power before and especially after the Rapture takes place. That is, under normal circumstances, the obvious way that all past tyrants achieved their pinnacle of power … in varying degrees, a gradual ascension to a position of wide-spread authority.

And, I get that.

With, however, a reminder: Beginning with the stupendous world-shaking event of the Rapture and continuing with miracle after miracle during the Great Tribulation, the last seven years of the earth as we know it will consist of ongoing supernatural happenings.

Notwithstanding the apocalyptic replacement of the natural with the supernatural during the last days, we also have a plethora of exceptional miracles that God and his Son have performed throughout the ages. Thus, why would it be such an incredible conclusion that Nero was revived soon after Christ struck him down (see II Thessalonians 2:8); then banished to the Abyss in his restored earthly body with the same wounds that killed him (see Zechariah 11 & Revelation 13); then given permission to return to this earth by rising from the Abyss (Revelation 17:8) which is beneath a literal sea—most probably the Mediterranean (Revelation 13:1).

To wit: If God could suddenly take Elijah to heaven (without dying) in a chariot of fire; if the Lord could instantly, without warning, snatch Enoch from this earth to spare him the Great Flood; if he could surprisingly split the Red Sea over a short space of time allowing his people to cross on dry land then swiftly return the waters to drown their pursuers; if God could unexpectantly provide food from heaven (manna), then make this food appear (new) every morning to feed his people for forty years in the wilderness … well you get the picture?

If the Lord can do all these things, not to mention create the entire universe and raise people from the dead; then is anything too hard for the Lord, or too inconceivable to consider, or too natural for God to set aside the laws of nature, as he has done time and time again. Thus, the sequence of events involving Nero, as described above, would be extraordinarily easy for God to do.

How he does what he does is beyond out finite comprehension. For that matter, so is gravity. We know it exists, but have no clue as to “how” it really works.

“Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:14). Go ahead, if you like: Think of something that’s too hard for God. But remember: whatever he does, whenever he speaks and acts, he does so with (his) perfect timing … when he’s ready and the time is right to accomplish his majestic plan for the human race.

Modern-Day Antichrist?

The prevailing view (which is sensible and historically the way of such things) is that the Antichrist will be or currently is in a position of prominence somewhere in the world when the Rapture will take place (any day now). A Prime Minister or President? From the United Nations or European Union? The United States?

That is not, however, the picture prophetically painted by the prophet Daniel. The sudden appearance (abrupt rise to prominence and power) of the little horn (Antichrist) is anything but gradual.

Here is an excerpt from my book, Out of the Abyss, to reinforce what Daniel predicted, and to best illustrate the means by which the Antichrist will dramatically step onto the global stage to the amazement of an unsuspecting, unprepared, unaware, surprisingly shocked left-behind population. In italics:

We also have information in Daniel that is absolutely stunning. It begins with the phrase, “suddenly … appeared” (Daniel 7:8). Did you catch that? Of course you did. I repeat for emphasis: suddenly appeared. In the NAS, we read: “While I was contemplating the horns, behold, another horn, a little one, came up among them…” Though “came up” is less demonstrative that “suddenly appeared” as found in the New Living Translation, the NAS verse begins Daniel’s observation with the word “behold.” The meaning is unmistakable: The little horn (Antichrist) sprang up abruptly. An equivalent modern-day phrase would be, “He came out of nowhere.”

The word suddenly in Daniel 7 dramatically modifies, enhances, and further clarifies the appearing or reappearing of Antichrist as found in the New Testament. And the impact of this is crucial in realizing that the beast suddenly appears from the Abyss, as opposed to a modern-day man already in an influential political or administrative or even a military position. The contemporary view of the Antichrist is that, after the Rapture takes place, he will rise in prominence by asserting his positional influence, be that in or from the United Nations, European Union, or some other notable location.

Do you know of any past tyrant, dictator, or prestigious leader that tersely and unexpectantly arrived on the scene? All of the good and bad historical leaders were fairly well known by the time they came to ultimate power. That’s why the Antichrist depicted in Scripture does not fit the contemporary view. A modern-day leader would not abruptly appear on the scene. He would at least be known and recognized at some mid-level or already high-level political, social, or military position.

But the Antichrist is different. He arrives on the scene suddenly and surprisingly.

In fact, the New American Standard Bible states that this other king arises “after” the ten kings. Not before, not at the same time, but after. According to the view of those who hold to a modern-day Antichrist, he will be a chronological contemporary (born and raised in the same generation) of the ten kings with a simultaneous or near parallel ascent with those kings. This view is not supported by the language in Daniel (Out of the Abyss, pages 183-184).

There’s Different, and Then There’s Different!

In the verse quoted earlier in today’s article from that same passage in Daniel, we read: “…Then another king will arise, different from the other ten, who will subdue three of them” (Daniel 7:24, italics for emphasis).

Just how different is he? Well, we can start with the obvious: He is Nero Caesar, the ancient Roman Emperor who ruled the Roman Empire for fourteen years and persecuted Christians like no one before or after him. He will resume this onslaught against the Tribulation saints and also the Jews.

(Christians Used as Burning Torches to Light Nero’s Palace Garden)

Once again, please allow me to defer to an excerpt from Out of the Abyss.

The expression different is both intriguing and forceful. Why or how is the Antichrist different than the ten kings who yield their allegiance? Especially as utilized in the context, the word itself is too strong to suggest an intrinsic variation, such as being a more polished, captivating, charismatic, or powerful leader…

Different denotes different, in all that word means and implies. I think this is important enough to refer to Webster’s Dictionary. Different is: “partly or totally unlike in nature, form, or quality.” It is: “dissimilar (could hardly be more).” It is: not the same as.” In addition to dissimilar, other synonyms are: “distinct, unusual, special, diverse, divergent, and disparate.” It is: ‘unlike in kind or character.” The synonym diverse “implies marked contrast…”

The one thing that makes Antichrist (Nero) different from the other kings is that he is a living miracle, and they are not.

He has risen from the underworld, and they have not. The ten kings have a birth certificate, but the Antichrist does not. Nor will anyone, including crime scene forensic investigators be able to prove that he had died a short time before he arose, as there will be no autopsy, or death certificate; nor any fingerprint records, or dental records, nor any evidence of a crime scene, nor a coroner’s report, not a coffin or a grave.

We must remember the shocking fact announced by the angelic messenger: Antichrist died before John received the Revelation of Jesus Christ. Therefore, his initial sudden appearance to a post-Rapture world will be from the dead, which makes him dramatically different than the ten kings. There’s no way the beast can or will be born during the generation that experiences the Day of the Lord. (Pages 185-186).

Things to Ponder

Do you see the amazing connection between the Biblical examples provided in today’s article (seven of several dozen) and the Antichrist passage in Daniel that employs the term and concept of suddenly, especially with regard to a sudden appearance? This correlation is just one of many to support what I firmly believe is a correct re-fit of the prophetic puzzle regarding Antichrist … who he really is and how he will reappear from the Abyss.

Knowing the identity of the Antichrist will reduce and even eliminate the amazement of so many both now and after the Rapture, that will cause them to believe the lie that this despicable tyrant (Nero) is Messiah. Instead, some will realize that the Bible had predicted this long ago.

There is only one who has truly risen from the dead; the true Messiah, the One who is the only way, truth, and life.

“But very early on Sunday morning, the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. So they went in, but they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus. As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes …

“Then the dragon took his stand on the shore beside the sea. Then I saw a beast rising up out of the sea…” (Revelation 12:18, Revelation 13:1).

In last week’s Eye of Prophecy article we discovered that the Abyss is all too real, but is not the same place as Hell. We peered into the Abyss and found it to be occupied by excessively wicked angels banished there because they took on human form with the devilish intent of perverting the human race; thereby, corrupting (unsuccessfully) the genealogy of the Messiah. We examined the shocking scene in Luke Chapter 8; a legion of demons, who possessed one man, begged Jesus not to send them to the bottomless pit (Abyss).

We learned that hordes of embodied demons will be released from the Abyss to torment unbelievers for five months during the Tribulation (Revelation 9). And we covered in great detail the extraordinary evidence that Antichrist (Nero) will return from the Abyss at the outset of the Great Tribulation (Revelation 17). The immediate reaction of many left behind at the Rapture will be: “…The whole world marveled at this miracle and gave allegiance to the beast” (Revelation 13:3).

In this week’s article we will discover the location of the Abyss. We will also learn why Nero was imprisoned in the Abyss after he died and was then revived by God. Yes, you read that correctly: Nero will return in the same body that has been preserved (alive) in the Abyss.

Revelation Chapter 13 is the first of two visions given to John of the Antichrist, characterized as a beast and also referred to as a king in John’s second sighting of the beast found in Revelation Chapter 17. However, the first mention of the Antichrist beast in Revelation is not in the form of a vision. Rather, the initial reference to this evil man is that he will come (straight) from the bottomless bit. Later in Revelation 17, we know his emergence from the Abyss will be a reappearance on earth, because the beast had already lived and died before the book of Revelation was written (1st Century A.D.).

Here is our first introduction in Revelation to the beast:

“When they complete their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the bottomless pit will declare war against them, and he will conquer them and kill them” (Revelation 11:7).

Who are “they” and “them” that Antichrist will kill? Many of you know that Revelation Chapter 11 is referring to the two men anointed by God to do mighty miracles for 1260 days (3 ½ years) of the Great Tribulation. I firmly believe these two prophets are Moses and Elijah. For an absorbing study of these two wonderful witnesses, including how and why they will return to Jerusalem with the same bodies in which they left the earth, please read Eye of Prophecy articles, The Two Witnesses, Part I, II, & III (posted 6-7, 6-14, and 6-21-14).

(Fairly Accurate Depiction of the Two Witnesses, Also Represented by Two Lampstands and Two Olive Trees. See Revelation 11 & Zechariah 4)

You might also recall that the bodies of the two prophets are left as they lie, “…in the main street of Jerusalem … And for three and a half days, all peoples, tribes, languages, and nations will stare at their bodies. No one will be allowed to bury them. All the people who belong to this world (unbelievers) will gloat over them and give presents to each other to celebrate the death of the two prophets who had tormented them. But after three and a half days, God breathed life into them, and they stood up! Terror struck all who were staring at them. Then a loud voice from heaven called to the two prophets, ‘Come up here!’ And they rose to heaven in a cloud as their enemies watched” (Revelation 11:8-12).

Take that Mr. Six Hundred, Sixty-six!

Moses’ and Elijah’s spectacular resurrection from the dead will remind those watching of the Rapture—also witnessed by many on planet Earth. For those who have already denied that Jesus is Messiah, those who have sealed their fate by taking the mark of the beast; it will be a painfully stark object lesson of the truth of Messiah’s resurrection and his ascension into heaven.

Notice the command of the Lord for Elijah and Moses to, “Come up here!” These are the same words Jesus spoke to John when the scene shifts from earth to heaven where amazing visions are given to John of the future … and also the past tense existence of the Antichrist (Revelation 17).

“… Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this” (Revelation 4:1).

I am convinced that they will be the same words Jesus shouts when he appears in the clouds to take believers home to heaven, which will usher in the awesome Day of the Lord—terrible Tribulation followed by the magnificent Millennial Reign of the King of all kings.

“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God…” (I Thessalonians 4:16).

Personally, I can’t wait to hear that jubilant shout from the Lord. “Come up here!”

Yet, I and all those who have been personally redeemed by our Great God and Savior, Messiah Jesus, won’t have to wait long! The time is near … so very near.

Where is the Abyss?

Our first clue is exceptionally strong, if not conclusive. One, however, easily missed because it is an unassuming, natural linguistic extension of two passages that primarily focus our attention on the beast and the Abyss. The first passage is the one we just discussed.

“When they complete their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the bottomless pit…” (Revelation 11:7, italics for emphasis).

Notice that the angel doesn’t limit his explanation to John that the beast will (only) come out of the Abyss. The word preceding out is there for a reason; because it would otherwise have been enough to understand that the beast comes out of the Abyss, i.e. the origin of his stunning reappearance to the world.

Instead, the angel tells John that the Antichrist comes up out of the Abyss.

Webster’s Dictionary definition of up (which is used as a preposition in the verse we just read): “used as a function word to indicate motion to or toward or situation at a higher point.”

Why does John accentuate out (of the abyss) with up?

Answer: To make sure we grasp the fact that the Abyss is DOWN. If we’re below a place or level we want to reach, the only way to get there is up.

A preposition (prepositional words) comes from the concept, “to put in front.” As applied to the syntax of this verse: Before the Antichrist can come out of the Abyss, he must first go up.

The same phrase is used in Revelation 17; the remarkable passage covered in last week’s article, in great detail in my book, Out of the Abyss, and to some extent in a few previous Eye of Prophecy articles. Such as: Antichrist … Is He Alive Today? Published 9-14-13. Followed by, Reappearance of the Beast (Antichrist), posted 9-21-13. .

Said the angel to John: “…I will tell you the mystery of this woman and of the beast … on which she sits. The beast you saw was once alive but isn’t now. And yet he will soon (suddenly or imminently) come up out of the bottomless pit…” (Revelation 17:7-8, bold and italics for emphasis).

The very fact that one must travel up and out of the Abyss, makes it a literal place. You don’t need directionality to escape a place (prison) that is merely metaphorical.

Again, “up” reinforces the fact that the Abyss is down … below, beneath, under. Conversely, to eliminate the possibility that the Abyss is on the earth and certainly not above the earth. Not in or on some galaxy, star, planet, moon, comet, or some black hole in space.

Let’s return to the sea! By again quoting the passage that began today’s article; verses that contain the same prepositional phrase found in Revelation 11 and 17.

“Then the dragon took his stand on the shore beside the sea. Then I saw a beast rising up out of the sea…” (Revelation 12:18, 13:1).

This time John tells us explicitly that he saw the beast, “rising up out of the sea.”

We all know pretty much what “sea level” is and means. Although there are a few places on earth that are below sea level, the vast majority of land on planet Earth is at or above sea level. With the plain (pun intended) understanding that generally speaking sea level is the lowest point to which we can descend on earth; or ascend if we “rise from (below) the sea.”

(Marker in Israel Situated Above the Dead Sea)

Where do the major rivers of the world end? Correct: in the oceans or seas. Another question: What does water always seek? Right again: its lowest level.

Thus, the convincing conclusion (based on the Bible passages covered especially the syntax, as well as geophysical laws and a great deal of common sense): The Abyss is beneath the oceans or seas of the earth. We’ll further see the credibility of this deduction when we look at more supporting evidence in today’s article. But first we need to address a major misunderstanding or misapplication that would otherwise challenge the clear evidence that the Abyss is beneath the Sea from whence the Beast rises, and that both places are literal.

The reason it’s necessary to establish that the Sea in Revelation is literal stems from the prevailing view of Bible scholars that the Sea identified in Revelation 13:1 is metaphorical. More precisely, they say: The Sea is an allegorical representation of humanity … masses of people the world over. Thus, the (erroneous) application is that the Antichrist Beast simply arises from somewhere on earth … from some nation or people. Which, at face value, would be the natural logical conclusion, i.e. a modern-day born man (Antichrist). However, most of the end-times events as dramatically depicted in Scripture are supernatural, either directly from God or allowed by God—meaning that Satan, Antichrist, and especially the False Prophet will be permitted to display paranormal powers.

Is the Sea of Revelation Chapter 13 Real or Figurative?

Before we look at two other major passages in Scripture to decisively demonstrate that the Beast rises up from a literal ocean/sea, let’s begin with an exceedingly sensible premise in the form of questions (italicized for emphasis):

If the beast comes up out of the Abyss and rises up out of the Sea, then where might the Abyss be located? Rhetorical question, right? Putting it another way: Why would the beast come up out of the literal Abyss, but then rise up out of a symbolic sea?!

I’ve never read or heard any Bible scholar or teacher or anyone else state or imply that the Abyss (bottomless pit) is smack in the middle of humanity; but that’s where the Abyss would be if the Revelation 13 Sea symbolically represents humanity. This is true even for those who believe that the Abyss is also symbolic. Figuratively or actually (real), it makes no sense for the Abyss to be in or under the “sea of humanity.”

Continue with me on this fantastic voyage and watch Antichrist Nero rise from the Sea.

(ParentheticalPause: For those of us who will be taken in the Rapture, our “watching” is the imagery we can muster for the soon to come real thing, which we will not be around to see … thank you Lord! For those left behind at the Rapture, some will actually witness Nero’s ascent from the Abyss/Sea and many others will watch on video replay from those who captured it on their smart phone cameras. Don’t roll your eyes at that scenario! There even may be television crews alerted ahead of Nero’s ascent from the Sea, by some mysterious things going on such as smoke billowing from the surface of the sea. Did you know that there are huge subterranean volcanoes and rock structures that include chimney-like formations in these underwater fissures? Geologists call the ocean floor, The Abyssal Plain! They call these open vents in subterranean rock formations, Black Smokers. We looked at the embodied beings (fallen angels) that come from the Abyss (Revelation Chapter 9). Here is John’s description: “When he opened it (the Abyss), smoke poured out as though from a huge furnace, and the sunlight and air turned dark from the smoke” (Revelation 9:2). This 2000-year old description matches recent 20th & 21st century geological discoveries and vernacular—dark, smoke, furnace, shaft, poured out!)

(Photo of Undersea Black Smokers)

(More Hydrothermal Ocean Vents)

Before we look at the principle passage in Scripture from which many students of Bible prophecy form their opinion that the Revelation 13 Sea is metaphorical, I want to again say what I’ve said in my book Out of the Abyss and a few Eye of Prophecy articles:

My ardent aspiration is to correctly refit certain parts of the prophetic puzzle (which is an already complete tapestry from God’s timeless point of view) that have been inaccurately placed in what is still an unfolding sequence of events to us. It is not merely to correct and certainly not to criticize them for the sake of correction or criticism. For that matter, I, too, at one time imperfectly viewed the Antichrist as being a modern-day born man as well as a handful of other wrongly understood prophecies. I give a great deal of credit to and harbor a boat-load of respect for these pioneers of prophecy, most of whom began their study of end times events soon after the stunning Six-Day War of 1967. It was also at that time that dozens of Messianic ministries sprang up all over the world.

Daniel Chapter 7

“Earlier, during the first year of King Belshazzar’s reign in Babylon, Daniel had a dream and saw visions as he lay in his bed. He wrote down the dream, and this is what he saw. In my vision that night, I, Daniel, saw a great storm churning the surface of a great sea, with strong winds blowing from every direction. Then four huge beasts came up out of the water, each different from the others” (Daniel 7:1-3, italics for emphasis).

You probably recognized this remarkable chapter as one of the most well-known in Scripture. It is the second prophetic vision of the four world empires to rise and fall … Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome. Further, that a little horn “suddenly appeared” (Daniel 7:8)—a perfect description to explain Nero’s abrupt arrival from the Abyss—among the ten horns of the fourth beast (Rome). With the accurate application, as further amplified in Revelation 17, that these ten horns are the ten kings (and their kingdoms) of the Tribulation period who will yield their authority to the “little horn.”

The sudden appearance of the little horn (Antichrist) is in direct contradiction to the prevailing view that Antichrist will be an already well know modern-day born man, who rises to global power from say the United States, the European Union, or some other nation or confederation on earth.

Most commentators derive their supposition that the Sea in Revelation 13 is allegorical from the above quoted verses in Daniel Chapter 7, especially the italicized words. That argument is as follows: Because the four beasts of Daniel 7 are symbolic of actual kingdoms that would arise on the earth, so is the “great sea” and the “water” from which the four beasts emerge, metaphorical. Therefore, the subsequent use of the word Sea in Revelation 13 is a metaphorical equivalent to the waters of the great sea from which the four Gentile kingdoms would come. Thus, many contend that the Sea of Revelation 13 also represents all of mankind, as these four great kingdoms seen by Daniel logically arose from the human race.

Whereas this application is certainly true in Daniel 7, it does not apply to Revelation 13!

Here’s why:

First: the very fact that Daniel is later told by the angel that the four empires (Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome) would materialize in the expected fashion that any kingdom arises—from certain people in a certain geographical area on the earth.

However, there is no such explanation or application in Revelation 13.

There are other differences. (1) The sea in Daniel is referred to as “a sea,” meaning sea or waters in general, not a specific sea. (2) Daniel’s description is a, “great storm churning the surface of a great sea.” (3) The Sea identified in Revelation 13 appears to be calm; there is no indication that it is a stormy sea. (4) In Daniel, we see four Gentile kingdoms rising from the water; whereas, in Revelation 13 the beast rising from “the sea” is a direct depiction of a man … Antichrist. (5) Of particular relevance is that the four beasts (kingdoms) “came up out of the water” (Daniel 7:3). This is more than just a matter of semantics. There was a great storm churning the surface of a great sea, but the actual ascent of the four beasts was from the water.

*Note: The reason that the Revelation 13 (Antichrist) beast bears the “symbolic” image of a leopard, bear, and lion relates directly to Nero’s ascension as Emperor of the Roman Empire, which was an eclectic combination and continuance of the best, or worst, legacies of the Babylonian (lion) Persian (bear), and Grecian (leopard) empires before Rome dominated the world. With the overriding fact that the composite beast of Revelation 13 (and Chapter 17) is a man.

(Fairly Accurate Depiction of the Beast of Revelation 13)

The explicit portrayal of the sea in Daniel 7 as stormy is for a specific reason. Here is an excerpt from Out of the Abyss to elaborate on that:

The symbolism of a stormy sea is limited to the tempestuous, tumultuous birth pangs of war and destruction that produced each of the four consecutive world empires. The reason for this limited symbolism approach can be found later in Daniel 7, verse 17 where the angel is telling Daniel what these four beasts represent: “These four huge beasts represent four kingdoms that will arise from the earth.” In other words, the angel has switched from a symbolic sea to the literal earth, which intimates that the metaphorical sea of humanity should be specifically applied and limited to a uniquely stormy sea, the kind that churns when one nation conquers another (page 234).

Thus, Daniel was given the meaning of the waters from which the four beasts would arise. The waters represent peoples of the earth. In a moment, we’ll see a fascinating correlation between the waters in Daniel and the “many waters” of Revelation Chapter 17.

Nowhere in Revelation Chapter 13 does the angel give any explanation to John that the Sea from which the beasts rises represents something else, including all of humanity. This is in stark contrast to the application made in Daniel Chapter 7, to help Daniel and all readers understand that the four Gentile kingdoms would arise from the earth via the “stormy sea” of conquest through war.

Revelation Chapter 17

This passage also affirms that the Sea of Revelation 13 is literal, not figuratively representing the Antichrist coming up out of the “sea of humanity.” Read with me:

“One of the seven angels who had poured out the seven bowls come over and spoke to me. ‘Come with me,’ he said, ‘and I will show you the judgment that is going to come on the great prostitute, who rules over many waters’ … There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast…” (Revelation 17:1-3, italics for emphasis).

Then, the angel proceeds to expound the phenomenal mystery of both the woman and the beast. For purpose of today’s article, we’ll skip forward to the angel’s interpretation for John of the many waters.

“Then the angel said to me, ‘The waters where the prostitute is ruling represent masses of people of every nation and language’” (Revelation 17:15).

Once again, Revelation 13 provides no explanation whatsoever to indicate that the Sea is symbolic, that it is anything but the literal sea. Whereas, the many waters of Revelation 17 is explained to John (like the stormy sea “water” is explained to Daniel, i.e. the earth) as representing masses of people. Such clarification was necessary in order for John to fully understand the “mystery” of the woman sitting on the scarlet beast. Then later in Revelation, John is told: “And this woman you saw in your vision represents the great city that rules over the kings of the world” (Revelation 17:18).

So, here is a challenging question: If the angel explained to John what the many waters over which the great prostitute rules, represents, then why wouldn’t the angel also make clear what the sea from which the beast arises represents; if, in fact, the sea was an illustration of the mass of humanity? For that matter, you would think that John would have also used the same term “many waters” in Revelation 13, instead of the sea.

The answer and, therefore, our understanding is compellingly clear: The Sea from which the beast comes up out of is a real, literal sea. Thus, there was no need for the angel to enlighten John as to any symbolic meaning of the sea in Revelation 13.

Summary of a Literal Abyss and Sea

Permit me to quote again from Out of the Abyss (in italics):

Question: Why can’t the Revelation 13 Sea be literal? The Antichrist beast of Revelation 13 is not a kingdom or kingdoms; it is a personal pronoun (he) person. A symbolic application in one part of the Bible does not have to be the same symbolic representation in another passage, or even symbolic at all … It all depends on the context of the passage, to include, if necessary, comparison or contrast to other passages…

Unless the Scriptural text is clearly and exclusively symbolic, or specifically interprets an image of something, or explains the imagery by such words as “like” … the word or phrase should be taken literally…

Conversely, there’s no reason to create a metaphor or simile comparison for something that is what it is. In Revelation 13, there’s every reason to consider the sea as the sea. The same reasoning can be applied to the False Prophet who, “came up out of the earth.” The angel is making a distinction as to the origination point for the first and second beast.” (Page 235, Note: The first beast is the Antichrist, the second beast is the False Prophet).

Regarding the first part of the passage that began today’s article: (“Then the dragon took his stand on the shore beside the sea” Revelation 12:18), I would also like to refer to Out of the Abyss:

…We find the dragon (Satan) taking his stance beside the sea … But the angel doesn’t indicate that the sea represents something else. If the sea is the mass of humanity, why would the dragon take “his stand on the shore beside the sea?” Why wouldn’t he take his stand right in the middle of humanity?

If the sea is humanity, then what does the shore represent? If a student wrote a story for an English teacher and used this metaphorical imagery, the paper would be returned with a lot of red marks on it. The teacher would say something to the effect that the sea of humanity doesn’t have or need a shoreline. Or, if it does need a shore, then the entire imagery is extremely awkward and ineffective (page 236).

The Greek word for sea is Thalassa. It is used many times in the New Testament, twenty-two times in the book of Revelation alone, including Revelation 13:1.

The meaning of Thalassa: The or a sea in general; more specifically (often) … the Mediterranean Sea. Both seashore and sea in Revelation 12:18 and 13:1 are from the Greek word, Thalassa.

(Mediterranean Shore Near Rome–Not Far For Nero to Go After Rising From the Sea!)

Whereas the Greek word for waters is: Hudor (pronounced hoodore), which is the word used in Revelation 17—many waters. The meaning is water found in rivers, pools, springs, lakes, or the water of the deluge (flood).

In fact, the Greek word Hudor, translated into English, waters, is often used symbolically in Scripture. Such as we found in Daniel 7; the water from which the four beasts arose represents (peoples or nations of) the earth. This is not the case with Thalassa. It is almost always a direct reference to a literal sea and many times refers to the Mediterranean Sea, and also Dead Sea or Sea of Galilee. If the sea isn’t specifically identified, then usually we know which sea by the context of the passage.

In Revelation 13:1, the sea isn’t specified nor do we know exactly which sea it is. However, based on everything presented in this article and as comprehensively contained in my book Out of the Abyss, most of all Scripture itself; there is overwhelming evidence that the Antichrist beast will rise from the Abyss (part or all of which is) directly beneath the Mediterranean Sea, which borders Israel and also Italy. What more logical place for the Revived Roman Emperor Nero to rise from the Abyssal Sea?

One other quote from Out of the Abyss:

The False Prophet comes from the earth, meaning a natural origination through a normal birth. In contrast, the Antichrist appears from the Abyss and rises from the sea that contains the Abyss. That would be anything but natural or normal. This extraordinary reappearance will passionately attract and rivet the attention of a world desperately seeking a miracle man, a superman, who will lead them to Utopia (page 239).

Why Did The Lord Confine Nero to the Abyss?

In part, we’ve already answered that question: To keep Nero as Nero (the same body in which he died). Another obscure, but stunning, passage about the Antichrist can be found in an Old Testament reference to the Antichrist—Zechariah Chapter 11. Time/space doesn’t permit a detailed commentary (as is contained in Out of the Abyss); except to say that this passage describes the wounds sustained by the Antichrist. These are the same (fatal) wounds observed by John when he first sees the beast of Revelation 13.

As seen thus far, the only place identified by Scripture where some beings (fallen angels) continue their existence in bodily form is the Abyss. In fact, they are imprisoned there, reserved for the Day of Judgment.

In another excerpt from Out of the Abyss, we read:

In all of Scripture, there is only one reference to a human being coming from, therefore, having been placed into the Abyss. That man is the man of lawlessness, who is the Antichrist, who is the beast of Revelation. Such an honor! (Page 232).

Though I was being facetious (such an honor), I was also conveying Biblical truth; stated and deductive facts that are as extraordinarily evident as anything can be. Meaning there is crystal clear confirmation that (1) the Antichrist beast of Revelation 17 had lived and died before John saw him for the second time—with the first vision that of his reappearance on the earth in Revelation 13. (2) This beast would come up out of the Abyss. (3) By plain logic and obvious implication: in order to come from the Abyss, this man would first need to be placed there. (4) Nero was killed by (divine intervention) Jesus himself—as strikingly stated in II Thessalonians 2:8, after Nero was revealed as (became) the man of lawlessness … see pages 204-206 in Out of the Abyss. (5) By equally obvious deduction: in order for Nero to be placed in the Abyss, the Lord would first need to revive him from the dead, which, took place very soon after Nero died. The site of Nero’s grave has always been a historical mystery. (6) Thus, Nero in his original body, healed wounds and all, would be preserved in the Abyss until the appointed time for the Lord to release him.

(Artwork Portraying Nero Rising to Divine Status After His Death)

Which leads us to the two main reasons why God literally removed Nero from the grave and transported this despicably evil tyrant to the Abyss:

As part of God’s plan, to allow Satan and his man of sin one last chance to fail. To prove to the world that the free will God gave to both angels and human beings—the freedom to choose between good and evil, between God and Satan, between Christ and Antichrist—will determine their eternal destiny. By confining then releasing Nero from the Abyss, the Lord would make it clear to Tribulation believers that Nero would not duplicate the actual resurrection of Jesus Christ. God would not grant this resurrection power to Satan, because he never has and never will allow Satan to be God or be like God. The Lord would not allow Satan or the Antichrist to share in his glory … in which God’s very essence and attributes are expressed.

However, the Lord will allow Satan to mimic the resurrection without actually accomplishing such a miracle. Nero will flaunt this counterfeit “resurrection” by boasting that he arose from the dead through his own power. The unsaved world won’t be able to or won’t want to distinguish between a return from the grave and a reappearance from the Abyss. Only the tribulation saints will know the difference.

Things to Ponder

For comprehensive Scriptural and historical documentation of all things pertaining to Messiah’s antithesis Antichrist, including extraordinary evidence that Nero (by correlating, connecting, and matching 1st century facts known about him to prophecies by Daniel, Zechariah, Paul, and John) was first exposed by the Apostle Paul in II Thessalonians Chapter 2 as the man of lawlessness during Nero’s reign of terror (54 AD – 68 AD), and will reappear as the Antichrist beast, please read Out of the Abyss … can the number of the beast be solved? 666.

In closing, here is another excerpt from that book:

The world will be amazed that a man who had been dead for some two thousand years could return with the same body and the same scars caused by the fatal wound. In fact, it wouldn’t be at all surprising if Nero said something to the effect, “Now tell me who the true God is. I died two thousand years ago and I’ve come back. Look close and I’ll show you my deadly wounds. That presumptuous Nazarene was dead for only three days, so he says. Even if he was dead for three days, who is the greater of the two? Whose miracle is the greatest? Where is this imposter now?”

And so, the world will believe the Lie, just as Scripture tells us. The lying spirit of Antichrist claims that Jesus is not the Christ, and that God is not the Father. Nero will boast that he alone is God or Messiah, for no one could possibly return from the dead in this manner.

Thus, Satan would get his wish. Though he would not be permitted to literally raise Nero from the dead … it would just be a matter of waiting for God to release Nero and the real fun would begin. Satan would play his final card. In the interim, day by day since the first century church, Satan plays the deadly game of building empires, persecuting the church, and attempting to destroy Israel (pages 233-234).

As believers we know the truth of how much greater is our God, Messiah Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, than the Evil One who is the god of this world.

“For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God” (I John 5:4-5).

Let those of us who have been redeemed by our Great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, say so! (Psalms 107:2).

“…greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world” (I John 4:4, NASB).

Is Christ in you and are you in Him? If not, there is no hope for everlasting life in heaven.

Please click on the Eye of Prophecy page, God’s Plan of Salvation.

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